COMMENT: Help for those businesses in need - and from those in demand

There have been many challenges, but what has been inspirational is to see how quickly people have adjusted and adapted and how businesses have shown a willingness to do what they can to help others through these difficult times.

Take nursery chain Tops Day Nurseries, which operates along the south coast including on-site provision at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.

Today we report how the company has pledged to keep nurseries open for the children of NHS staff and those in the emergency services.

The decision follows the revelation that key workers across the country have been unable to attend their shifts because they couldn't sort out childcare.

That's a huge weight off the minds of people who may well be on the front line in the battle against Covid-19.

Meanwhile Portsmouth food wholesaler Dennis Edwards Food Service is opening to the public as people face a wait of several weeks to book an online shopping delivery slot with the major supermarkets.

We salute all the delivery drivers out there who are keeping the wheels turning so that people can get the provisions they need.

But for every business that has found itself in demand during these unprecedented times, there are others who are really struggling through lack of customers.

So we're also pleased to report that in Gosport £6.4m of government grants are being distributed to hundreds of small businesses and firms in the retail and lelsure sectors as part of a national scheme.

We hope this injection of cash proves to be the saviour of others who find themselves in difficulty through no fault of their own.